Jerry Rasmussen Stoker

After a life filled with happiness and laughter, Jerry Rasmussen Stoker, 77, our beautiful mother, grandma, sister, and friend, returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father and dear husband, surrounded by her loved ones.

Jerry was born on October 6, 1947, to Jarold and Madge Rasmussen. She was the 2nd of 3 girls. She grew up in Eden, but her family later moved to Kaynsville, where she graduated from Weber High. 

After graduation she attended beauty school at Painters Beauty School. She started working at the Kurley Que in Syracuse, and later opened her own beauty shop, Stokers Beauty Salon. 

While working at the Kurley Que, Jerry met the love of her life and best friend, Sid Stoker. They were married on September 17, 1968. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together they had 4 children, and 14 grandchildren. Jerry’s greatest joy was being a wife, a mother and a grandma. She treasured her family dearly.

Jerry worked side by side with Sid, their children, her mother in-law, father in-law, sister-in-law, and many other family and friends at their family business, Stoker’s Nursery, in Syracuse. Jerry knew how to work hard, but also knew the value of laughter and fun. Jerry loved playing pranks and finding opportunities to laugh. She had such a contagious laugh and a beautiful smile. Throughout her life, she kept her fun sense of humor and her ability to laugh and not take life too seriously.

Jerry loved her savior Jesus Christ and loved his Gospel. She served faithfully in many callings, but her favorite was always her time spent with the young women of the old Syracuse 3rd Ward. Jerry had a strong testimony of Joseph Smith, and of living prophets and apostles. She loved reading scripture and cherished her time spent in the temple. 

Jerry loved to create, from her bright spring pots to her gorgeous Christmas trees, she created beauty all around. She found joy in making her home beautiful and welcoming, a place people wanted to come and enjoy. She loved sewing and crocheting, and she spent time teaching those skills to many of her children and grandchildren. 

Jerry worked hard to create an individual relationship with everyone she came in contact with, but especially with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cheering them on in their different activities and was such an essential part of their lives. Even in her later years, when she was unable to attend all of the activities, she would call her grandkids and get a full report from them, and she would tell them how proud she was of them. Jerry was a wonderful example of loving unconditionally. 

Jerry was a true friend. She loved spending time with her friends, going to lunch and laughing! When mobility became an issue, Jerry still stayed in contact with her friends and had them over often for lunch and laughter. 

Jerry endured each trial that came her way with grace and joy. You would find her with a smile on her face, finding reasons to laugh! Because of health challenges, she spent a lot of time in rehab facilities, recovering from broken bones and falls, and she always became friends with everyone who worked there. She loved the nurses and health care workers at Pineview Rehab Center. She spent time listening to their life stories, becoming their friends, and joking and laughing with them. Even when she was broken or in pain, you would find Jerry smiling and trying to create connections with those around her. 

Jerry was welcomed home by her sweetheart, Sid, her loving parents and in-laws, and her older sister, Nancy. 

Jerry is survived by her children Burt (Charlise), Syracuse; Wade (Rhonda), Syracuse; Amie (Michael) Mathis, Clinton; Carrie (Jonathan) Hendricks, Syracuse; 14 (plus 3 because of their beautiful wives) dear friends that call her grandma, one who is currently serving an LDS mission in Colorado; one sister, Cris (Reed) Thurgood, Rigby ID, one sister in law, Sheila (Jim) McCowen, Mt. Green; one brother in law, Don Galvez, Riverdale; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 23, 2024, at 11 am at the Sandridge Ward Chapel, 2700 S. 1000 W., Syracuse. Friends may visit family on Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 S. 2000 W., Syracuse and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 am, at the church. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.

Our family would like to thank the many medical professionals that have helped mom over the years. Thank you also to her sweet grandchildren, beautiful friends, and loving ministering sisters who have all served and loved unconditionally.

Mama- we love you, till we meet again.

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